America First Field: Guide for Visiting Fans

The smartest move from downtown Salt Lake City is taking TRAX to the stadium — Sandy Civic Center or Historic Sandy Station are both convenient options. The nearest light rail station is Historic Sandy Station, an 8-minute walk from the gates. The TRAX Blue Line is designated as UTA Route 701 and runs the length of the Salt Lake Valley. From Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), you'll take the Green Line to a transfer point and connect to the Blue Line — budget about 45–55 minutes total. One-way fare is $2.50. If you're driving, the stadium sits at 9256 S. State Street. From I-15 southbound, take Exit 295 (9000 South), head east, and turn right onto State Street — you'll see the stadium on your left within a mile. Rideshare is straightforward: RSL offers a convenient drop-off and pick-up zone for rideshare services located on the east shoulder of Monroe Way, stadium side.

There are 4 to 5 parking lots around the stadium, all within walking distance. Parking costs average around $10–$20 on game day, but buy your parking with your tickets since lots fill up fast. Third-party resellers show an average price of about $24.65 for parking passes , so if you wait until day-of, expect to pay toward the higher end. The lots directly adjacent to the stadium — particularly the West and East lots — go first. If you miss those, the stadium has six lots total; overflow options include Sandy Park Center, Jordan High School, and the UTA Park & Ride at the TRAX Historic Sandy Station. A few cash lots, including the MACU Expo Center, are also available. The Park & Ride is legitimately useful — you park free, hop the TRAX Blue Line, and avoid the post-game car exodus entirely. Accessible parking spaces are available in the West and East parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge.

Sandy is suburbs, full stop. There's no walkable hotel neighborhood two blocks from the stadium the way there might be in Atlanta or Seattle — you're going to need a car or rideshare. That said, staying in Sandy itself along State Street puts you a 5-minute Uber from the gates, and the rates are noticeably cheaper than downtown SLC. The South Jordan/Sandy corridor has a clutch of mid-range chains (Marriotts, Hiltons, Hampton Inns) that run $100–$160/night on game weekends. If you want more character and don't mind a 20-minute TRAX ride, downtown Salt Lake City — particularly the area around Gallivan Plaza and Temple Square — gives you actual walkable bars and restaurants after the game. Sugar House, a quirky, younger neighborhood just south of downtown SLC, splits the difference: decent food scene, reasonable prices, and easy TRAX access. For groups, Airbnb has good Sandy options near the Jordan Commons development directly across State Street from the stadium.

America First Field is in the suburbs, so you're not walking to a string of soccer bars. But there are options worth knowing:

Club 90 — Right next to the stadium, Club 90 is a divey blast offering karaoke with a live backing band. It draws a mixed crowd of RSL supporters and regulars, and it's the closest thing to a proper pre-game pub within stumbling distance of the gates. Keep expectations dive-bar level and you'll enjoy it.

Bohemian Brewery & Grill — Bohemian Brewery & Grill specializes in European-style beer and cuisine, with a menu including schnitzel, goulash, and bratwurst. A short drive from the stadium, it's the best actual sit-down pre-game spot in the area and a refreshing departure from chain restaurants.

Slackwater (South Salt Lake) — A solid craft beer bar and pizza spot that attracts the soccer-adjacent crowd. Worth the Uber ride if you want a proper pint before the match and can't stomach another TGI Fridays.

Crown Burgers — Crown Burgers is a local favorite worth a stop. It's a Utah institution known for pastrami burgers — a deeply regional item that'll make no sense until you eat one, and then you'll want another. Fast, cheap, and genuinely good pre-game fuel.

The bag policy here is strict and worth taking seriously before you pack. America First Field has adopted a "No Bag Policy" — bags larger than 4" × 6" × 2" are prohibited. Medical, cultural, and diaper bags are permitted but required to be searched by security. That's essentially a phone-wallet-keys situation. Leave your backpack in the car or hotel.

Beddy's Plaza gates (East and North) open two hours prior to kickoff. The Spanish Stairs, West, and South Gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Gate times may vary for other events. If you want to explore the concourse and grab food without rushing, aim for the East or North gates at that two-hour mark. You're allowed to bring one factory-sealed water bottle per person, up to 32 oz. Reusable personal water bottles up to 32 oz. are also allowed but must be proven empty upon entering. All other bottles, cans, or coolers are not permitted. Mobile tickets only — no paper tickets are allowed.

The West, South, North, and East gates are ADA accessible. The Spanish Stairs gate is NOT ADA accessible. South Stands ADA ticketholders and Field ADA ticketholders will need to enter at the Staff Entrance located on the West side of the stadium. A passenger drop-off and pick-up zone for those with accessibility needs is located on the east shoulder of 145 West, stadium side.

All public and family restrooms are accessible for guests with disabilities. The family restroom is located on the southeast concourse near Section 5. The Parents Room and the Sensory Room are only available in the East Guest Services Office — a useful detail for fans with sensory sensitivities. America First Field does not lend or rent wheelchairs to patrons for events , so bring your own if needed.

There is no formally designated away end at America First Field, which means visiting fans typically scatter across the stadium rather than congregating in one section. The flip side: you can sit pretty much anywhere and enjoy decent sightlines, because the steep seating and roof canopy enhance noise levels and create an intimate feel.

Sections 9, 10, and 11 (the South Goal) are part of the general admission seating area, with portions roped off for supporter groups. There is chanting, standing, singing, drums, banners, flags, and smoke in the South Goal. Avoid that end unless you want to stand for 90 minutes in someone else's tifo. Section 26 (NW corner) is a recognized supporter group area with standing, chanting, and flags, and Section 35 is another group that stands the entire game. Away fans generally do best in the upper sideline sections (100s) or the North end corners — good views, accessible concourses, and far enough from the home supporters to avoid friction. West-side sections also get shade earlier on summer evening kicks, which matters at this altitude.

The stadium offers a variety of specialty menu items, including Santorini's (Mediterranean), J. Dawg's (hot dogs), and Michelob ULTRA on tap throughout. A converted shipping container in the supporters' section features a large selection of draft beers — worth the walk even if you're not standing in the South Goal. Expect to pay roughly $12–$15 for a beer and $10–$14 for a full meal item. There is a healthy option location offering vegetarian selections like Cauliflower Tikka Masala, Beet-LT Sandwich, and Mixed Berry Salad — which is more than most MLS stadiums can say.

Real Salt Lake fans are genuinely passionate — this isn't an empty suburban stadium going through the motions. The Wasatch Front has built real soccer culture since 2008, and the south-end supporters make noise disproportionate to their numbers. That said, away fans are generally treated fine here; the atmosphere is intense rather than hostile, and you won't get bottles thrown at you for wearing the wrong colors. What catches visiting fans off guard is the altitude: the $110 million stadium was built in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City at over 4,300 feet above sea level — your third beer hits like your fourth. The Wasatch Mountains visible beyond the open end of the stadium on a clear night are legitimately stunning and worth a moment of acknowledgment, even if you're there rooting for the other side. The steep bowl means you're never as far from the pitch as you feel in a repurposed NFL stadium, and that intimacy makes this one of the better MLS road trips even when your team loses.

TRAX (Blue Line, Route 701): This is the move. The nearest light rail station, Historic Sandy Station, is an 8-minute walk from the stadium. Post-game, trains run frequently and the Blue Line handles event crowds well. Wait about 15–20 minutes after the final whistle for the first surge to thin, then walk to the station. Expect a packed platform but short waits — trains run every 10–15 minutes and UTA typically adds capacity for RSL matches. You'll be downtown SLC in under 30 minutes.

Driving: The lots directly adjacent to the stadium can back up badly, particularly the West lot, which funnels onto State Street. If you parked off-site or at Jordan High School, you'll clear faster via side streets heading to I-15. Realistically, budget 20–30 minutes to reach moving traffic after a full-capacity match. Leaving at the 85th minute costs you nothing in match action (it's soccer, goals come late) and saves you 15 minutes of crawl.

Rideshare: Rideshare pick-up is on the east shoulder of Monroe Way, stadium side. Surge pricing kicks in immediately after the whistle, sometimes 2–3x. The hack: walk one block further east to State Street or Monroe Blvd, request from there, and you'll often get a non-surged fare while the stadium crowd is still filing out. Wait 25–30 minutes after the final whistle for surge to normalize if you're not in a hurry.

One opinionated tip: Take TRAX. Parking in Sandy is a fine idea on arrival, but TRAX turns a potential 40-minute post-game car crawl into a 10-minute walk and a 25-minute train ride. You'll be at a bar in downtown SLC before the drivers have cleared the lot.

What TRAX station is closest to America First Field?

Historic Sandy Station is the nearest light rail stop, an 8-minute walk from the stadium. Sandy Civic Center is also a convenient option. Both are on the TRAX Blue Line (Route 701).

What is the bag policy at America First Field?

America First Field has a "No Bag Policy." Bags larger than 4" × 6" × 2" are prohibited. Medical, cultural, and diaper bags are permitted but must be searched by security.

How much does parking cost at America First Field?

Parking passes average around $24.65. Pre-purchasing with your ticket is strongly recommended, as lots fill quickly on match days.

What time do gates open at America First Field?

Beddy's Plaza gates (East and North) open two hours before kickoff. The Spanish Stairs, West, and South Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.

Is America First Field cashless? Yes. All concessions and parking are cashless — bring a debit/credit card or use Apple/Google Pay.

Where should away fans sit at America First Field? There's no formal away section. Sections 9, 10, and 11 (South Goal) are reserved for RSL supporter groups — avoid those. Upper sideline sections and the North end offer good sightlines with less friction.

Can I bring food or drinks into America First Field?

You're allowed one factory-sealed or empty personal water bottle up to 32 oz. All other bottles, cans, and coolers are not permitted. No outside food is allowed.

How far is America First Field from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)? About 20–25 miles by car (30–40 minutes depending on traffic). By TRAX, take the Green Line from the airport to a transfer point and connect to the Blue Line southbound — budget roughly 45–55 minutes total for about $2.50 each way.